Prince George, B.C. – The deluge of rain in the Prince George region today is even worse in the northeast.

The BC Rivers Forecast Centre has issued a flood watch  for the Peace Region,  including  streams near the Pine Pass,  Chetwynd, Tumbler Ridge,  Dawson Creek and Fort St John as well as  streams near Fort Nelson.

The Pine Pass is closed from  the Junction with Highway 39 through to Chetwynd because of  flooding,  and there are concerns  the highway may have been washed away in some areas.   That has yet to be confirmed.

In Prince George,  the City  closed all sport and baseball fields  because the ground is saturated, raising the risk of injuries to the public and  to the turf should play continue  in  these conditions.

The River Forecast Centre  says  water levels  in the  Peace and North east  increased rapidly  overnight,  and rainfall totals  earlier today  ranged from 15 to 60 mm,  with the  higher totals  recorded near the Pine Pass.

Rainfall from an Alberta Low has caused rapid increases in water levels in streams overnight in the region. Rainfall totals up to 11am this morning range from 15 to 60 mm, with the higher totals recorded near Pine Pass.

“Environment Canada indicates this weather system is expected to continue to affect the region through Friday. The system has evolved to include a centre of accumulation in the Peace region and a centre in the Northeast region. Forecast rainfall totals range from 50 to 100 mm over the next 48 hours. The higher totals are likely near Pine Pass and Hudson Hope and southeast of Fort Nelson” reads the  advisory from the River Forecast Centre.

The River Forecast Centre  says  flooding is likely along the following streams and their smaller tributaries by Thursday and into Friday:

• Moberly River  is forecast to reach flows between 100 and 120 m3/s by Thursday and peak early Friday morning. Peak flows may exceed the 10-year return period flow. Flows will begin to recede by late Friday.
• Kiskatinaw River  is forecast to reach flows between 300 and 430 m3/s by Thursday and peak early Friday morning. Peak flows may exceed the 10-year return period flow. Flows will begin to recede by late Friday.
• Fontas River  is forecast to reach flows between 400 to 570 m3/s by Friday and peak by Saturday morning. Peak flows may approach the 20-year return period flow event. Flows will begin to recede by late Saturday.

Other major streams in the region are expected to see high flows by Thursday, although flooding is not expected at this time. Flows will vary depending on the actual precipitation totals for a given basin.